British Values

Promoting British Values at Lewis Street

The DfE have recently reinforced the need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs". The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year (2014). Lewis Street Primary School is committed to actively promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; the pupils are encouraged to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain. At Lewis Street these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democratic processes are embedded in the way we work at Lewis Street. Each class elects a class councillor who represents them on the School Council. Pupils views are sought in many ways such as surveys; interviews; pupil voice; assemblies and also in drawing up their class rules and charters at the beginning of the year as part of their SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning) programme.

Individual Liberty

At Lewis Street our pastoral policies such as the Behaviour Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, Equality Policy and E-Safety Policy, ensure that all children can learn in a safe environment. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and to know how to keep themselves safe. We work with agencies such as Childline, Greater Manchester Police, the Prison Service, Fire Service and Health professionals. As an accredited 'Healthy School' we are committed to ensuring that our children know how to keep themselves healthy and fit in order to fully enjoy their lives now and in adulthood. We also have our annual ‘Healthy Lifestyles’ super learning week.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Lewis Street we achieve this through developing every child's awareness of their place in a culturally diverse society. We want our children to understand the wider community they live in as well as the global community and how they can contribute to both and make a difference. As a Community School our relationship with our Partner school Christ Church and with the Church and the local Mosque is very important. This gives us the unique opportunity to work in a richly diverse community.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws or rules is reinforced in many ways. These include class rules and wider school rules which we will now link to our four values: excellence; respect; challenge and self-belief. These wider school rules and values will apply to all and are to be clearly understood as a framework for the way we all conduct ourselves. The need for rules is often discussed in assemblies and through our PSHE (personal, social and health education) programme. This work is also linked to visits from the Police, Prison and Fire Services.

Mutual Respect

Our school ethos is built around our core values. It is these core values of: excellence; respect; challenge and self-belief that will underpin everything we do. It is these values that are often at the heart of discussions in Circle Time, Assemblies, Collective Worship, School Council meetings and in staff meetings. We regularly ask parents and carers for their views on our school (Parent/Carer Voice) and how it meets the needs of their child in terms of their happiness and wellbeing. We hope that by living in an environment where mutual respect is demonstrated daily they will enter the wider world understanding its importance.